Kid-Friendly Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

December 31, 2019 Amanda Plott

And just like that, this is the last post of not only the this year, but of this decade!

I decided that with this being the last one of the decade, I thought I would take it a step further and make this recipe even more special by including my little mini-me in on it. I mean… she has two and a half weeks off from school and I need to entertain her somehow, so I put her to work making cookies and writing about it.

So, we sat down and planned out what exactly we’d make. She happened to a book on ‘kids cookies’ a few months back and so that’s where we started. Within the book there’s a recipe for some chocolate cut-out cookies, and that was our inspiration for today! These Kid-Friendly Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies are easy to make and require just a few ingredients, plus they end up tasting just like the cookie part of those famous sandwich cookies we all know and love. We definitely made a few easy substitutions to make these cookies just a little more healthy…

Southwest Chicken Soup (Instant Pot)

December 29, 2019 Amanda Plott

This Southwest Chicken Soup is based on one that I often get at fairly well known chain restaurant. It’s a broth-based soup that’s light and yet loaded with tons of southwest flavors. Instead of the usual pinto or black beans, chickpeas are used instead!

Bring as we’re at the tail end of the Holiday season, and there’s still a lot going on, I decided to once again make this soup in the pressure cooker. Why? It saves me time and energy. So, I kept this soup pretty simple and made all at one time and in one pot. Toss it in, cook it, and enjoy…

Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce

December 27, 2019 Amanda Plott

So obviously, I’m not an Italian lady. My roots are a lot Irish and … well, as many others out there, a plethora of other things. That being said, my love of food stems very much so from my fond memories of sitting on my great-grandma’s kitchen counter and watching her cook for hours on end.

Lengthy cooking times tend to be a thing of the past these days, especially with our fancy gadgets like crock pots and pressure cookers. Trust me, I’m a HUGE fan of the quick and easy recipes, but I’m here to warn you that THIS recipe is not quick by any means. This Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce takes it’s time with cooking for a whole TWO HOURS. And I promise, it’s worth every minute of that cook time…

Air-Fryer Blooming Onion

December 24, 2019 Amanda Plott

I know there’s a lot of you out there that are going to be getting a fancy new air-fryer for Christmas this year. If not from someone else, maybe you’re buying one for yourself. They are all the rage right now anyway, right? I’ve been putting off getting one, but I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been curious about the thing; how it works and if it works well.

I have long since made it my duty to not have a fryer in my home. When I was growing up we had one and my mom would rarely use it, and generally only for making french fries. Though there were a few shameless fried-food nights where my parents would fry up literally everything. Clearly, that isn’t how my own kitchen functions. Either way, my brother is in town and he brought his air-fryer for me to try out. And guess what? I don’t hate it…

Cranberry Orange Bread

December 21, 2019 Amanda Plott

While it’s cold enough outside for a few more months, I’m planning on doing a lot more baking and using up precious oven time while I can. The heat of the summer (and sometimes spring) often keeps from being able to comfortably bake anything. At all. Ever. To keep on theme with the Holidays, I thought I would whip up a festive bread for breakfast this morning.

This Cranberry Orange Bread is loaded with flavor, the freshness of the orange and the tartness of the cranberry pair well with the sweetness of the bread. Plus, it’s pretty easy to toss together in the morning and bakes for a good amount of hands off time…

Chicken Fajita Soup (Instant Pot)

December 19, 2019 Amanda Plott

Fajitas are one of my favorite Tex-Mex meals, but with it being the great big middle of winter… soup just sounds like a really good idea right now. So why not put the two together?! And to take it a step further, and with being so busy in the middle of the Holiday rush, I decided to take the lazy route and make chicken fajitas into a soup instead!

This Chicken Fajita Soup is quick and easy to make, with almost everything being tossed into a pressure cooker for all of an hour of hands off cooking time. Everything you know and love about chicken fajitas is in this soup too. Chicken, onion, bell peppers, jalapeño, and even some rice!…

Recent Forkable Bites

Gochujang Roasted Potatoes

If roasted potatoes and Korean chili paste had a love child, this would be it. These Gochujang Roasted Potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender and pillowy inside, and coated with a sweet-spicy glaze that’s totally addictive — but without the guilt trip. I’ve given the classic roasted spud a health-conscious twist that keeps the flavor big and the oil minimal. Perfect as a side, snack, or the star of a casual weeknight dinner…

Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake "Dutch Baby"

You’ve just found your new kitchen obsession: the Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake. Think of it as the love child of a light-as-air popover and the garlicky, green-onion-forward goodness of pajeon. It’s quick, a little bit showy, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as an appetizer that will convince friends you are doing something wildly gourmet without breaking a sweat…

Tex-mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake

If breakfast had a fiesta, this Tex-Mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake would be the life of the party. It’s cheesy, bright with salsa, and full of Tex-Mex flavors—yet uses smart swaps so it’s lighter and still utterly satisfying. Think of it as nachos-turned-breakfast-casserole: layers of tortilla base, eggs, veggies, black beans, and just enough melty cheese to keep things comforting without sending your health goals running for cover…

Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake (No Bake)

If your dessert game needs a tropical mic drop, meet the Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake. It’s the best kind of culinary contradiction: bright, tangy passion fruit tucked into a creamy, lighter-than-it-looks cheesecake sitting below a crumbly cookie base. It’s sweet, tart, slightly exotic, and perfectly guilt-free when you use a few smart swaps. Yes, you can have cheesecake and feel like you did something good for your future self…

German Pancake "Dutch Baby"

If you grew up thinking pancakes were just flat cakey discs drowned in syrup, German pancakes (also called Dutch babies) are here to re-educate your brunch brain. These dramatic oven-baked beauties puff up like savory soufflés, then collapse into golden, creased pools of custardy goodness. They’re loud, theatrical, and oddly wholesome — the perfect plate to start a weekend with a little flair and a lot less guilt…

Black Bean Street Corn Tacos

Street corn and tacos: two food-world celebrities that, when teamed up, create a headline-making flavor duet. Add black beans—protein-packed, wallet-friendly, and endlessly comforting—and you’ve got a weeknight superstar that’s healthy, colorful, and obnoxiously easy to make. These Black Bean Street Corn Tacos bring together charred corn, smoky spices, creamy jalapeño sauce, and hearty black beans for a taco that hits every note: tasty, creamy, bright, and slightly rebellious…

French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake

If you love the idea of classic French vanilla but want something a little unexpected, meet the French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake — a playful flip on an indulgent favorite that keeps the texture silky and the flavor bright without dragging you into full dessert regret. This recipe flips the script with a golden french vanilla filling inside a light, creamy cheesecake so when you flip it, you get a crunchy crown of cookie and a tender, cloud-like cheesecake underneath. It’s fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight celebration.

Why French vanilla? French vanilla is all about the custard-forward flavor. In this cheesecake, that custardy depth and a crispy crunchy cookie crust shell is just perfect. The result is familiar and elegant — like dessert wearing a beret.

Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce

Bright, crunchy, and ridiculously satisfying — this Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce is my go-to when I want lunch that feels indulgent but doesn’t leave me sluggish. Think crisp raw veggies, tender marinated mushrooms (or tofu), fresh herbs, and a creamy, tangy peanut sauce wrapped up in a whole-grain tortilla or rice paper. It’s fresh, protein-packed, and perfect for meal prep. Best part: the peanut sauce doubles as a dip for snack carrots, because nobody should deny themselves that level of deliciousness.

Why you’ll love it

Fresh and crunchy textures with a creamy, savory sauce.
Flexible — easily vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb.
Quick to assemble, great for lunches, picnics, or a light dinner.
Balances fiber, healthy fats, and plant protein for a filling meal without heaviness…

Upside Down Blueberry Filled Cheesecake (No Bake)

If cheesecake could wear a pair of comfy sneakers and a party hat, this would be it. Meet the Upside Down No-Bake Blueberry-Filled Cheesecake: a glossy, jewel-toned blueberry layer that INSIDE of a pillowy, tangy no-bake cheesecake, all cradled by a lightly sweet, cookie-forward crust.

It looks fancy. It tastes like summer. It requires zero oven time and minimal effort. Translation: perfect for heat waves, last-minute company, or when you want dessert that’s both impressive and unapologetically easy…

Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No Bake Cheesecake

If banana pudding and cheesecake had a love child it would be this: silky, banana-forward, and just sweet enough to satisfy a dessert craving without sending you spiraling into sugar regret. This Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No-Bake Cheesecake keeps all the cozy, nostalgic flavors—banana pudding, creamy cheesecake, and a touch of caramel—while trimming calories and ditching heavy baking. It’s perfect for hot days, last-minute gatherings, or whenever you want dessert that feels indulgent but behaves itself…

Chimichurri

Chimichurri: bright, herby, slightly spicy — and a total game-changer for everything from grilled steak to roasted veggies. If you’ve ever had a bite of anything sauced in Argentina or Uruguay, you probably met this vibrant green condiment: an herb-forward sauce that’s equal parts punchy and versatile. Here’s everything you need to know to make a fresh, health-conscious chimichurri that tastes like it belongs at a backyard grill party — without the guilt…

Hawachae

If you're hunting for a drink that’s fruity, fun, and somehow both festive and entirely guilt-free, say hello to hwachae. This Korean fruit punch is like summer in a shallow bowl: colorful, bubbly, and built for sharing. Think of it as a fruit salad you sip—refreshing, lightly sweet, and endlessly adaptable. Perfect for warm afternoons, brunches, or whenever you want something more exciting than plain water but less indulgent than a soda cocktail…

Miso Caesar Dressing

The tangy, umami-packed upgrade that your salad has been waiting for!

If you love the bold, savory comfort of classic Caesar dressing but want something lighter, brighter, and just a smidge more interesting, say hello to miso Caesar dressing. It keeps everything you adore about a Caesar—creamy texture, salty tang, garlicky bite—then swaps in miso for depth, and ties it all together with citrus brightness. It’s umami-forward, slightly funky in the best way, and totally guilt-free. Also: it makes kale feel like a party guest instead of a punishment…

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

If you love the nostalgic bliss of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars but want a breakfast that’s fast, healthy, and won’t require a spatula duel at 7 a.m., meet Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats. This guilt-free spin captures the flavors you love — sweet strawberries, fluffy strawberry and vanilla oat vibes, and a few topping options— but in a nutrient-packed, make-ahead jar. It’s breakfast that feels like dessert and behaves like a responsible adult…

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Salads deserve better than boring dressing. Enter strawberry vinaigrette — a sweet-tart, blush-pink dressing that makes greens sing, fruits dance, and even roasted veggies look forward to showtime. It’s the kind of dressing that tricks your brain into thinking you’re indulging, while your body high-fives you for picking something wholesome. I’ve taken the classic fruit vinaigrette, given it a Skinny Fork twist, and kept it guilt-free without sacrificing flavor…

Breakfast Tomato Eggs

Tomato + eggs = morning magic. This humble combo is a breakfast staple around the world — from shakshuka to Chinese tomato-and-egg stir-fry — and for good reason. It’s fast, comforting, and jam-packed with flavor and nutrition. Think vibrant tomatoes, silky eggs, and a few tricks to boost protein and fiber while keeping things bright and fresh…

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